Destin Florida News Weather Fishing

Jackson County-Blue Springs Recreational Area wrapped-up the summer Monday with another record setting season. More than 38,000 people visited the popular Jackson County attraction this year, doubling the number of visitors since 2006. Park officials are planning to open it year-round in the near future. - [Read more]

Six airmen were charged with breach of peace Aug. 28 for engaging in a physical altercation at the Electric Cowboy, a bar in Destin.

Southport - Olive Garden brought over 700 hundred free lunches today around the country to firefighters, police officers, hospital staffs and military personnel. - [Read more]

Panama City Beach-- A Panama City Beach family is left homeless after their trailer burned down Monday morning. The state fire marshal concludes the fire originated in the breaker box and the family has lost everything but their lives. - [Read more]

Sandestin - NBA superstar, rapper, and actor (remember Kazaam"?) Shaquille ONeil was spotted Monday, enjoying his Labor Day on the white sands of Sandestin. - [Read more]

This fall’s Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally takes place in just a couple more weeks – starting Thursday, September 30th and wrapping up on Sunday, October 2nd. As was the case with this year’s spring rally, the Bay Point Marriott Golf Resort & Spa will once again play host to this autumn’s rally, a move that [...]

Starting in Destin and heading toward Scenic Highway 30A, there can be found between 40 to 50 high-end, luxury properties on the market. Among those, the home at 238 Walton Way sets a standard in pricing and availability that reflects the current... - [Read more]

Walton County Superintendent of Schools Carlene Anderson says that if people are concerned about their children riding on buses without air conditioning, they haven’t voiced their concerns to her. “I haven’t heard anything about it,” she told... - [Read more]

Tropical Storm Hermine is getting a little stronger in the Gulf of Mexico as it heads toward the coasts of Texas and Mexico. - [Read more]

DestinLive: Sunrise bike ride! - [Read more]

Two people are dead after a two-car crash on Front Beach Road early Sunday morning. It happened on Front Beach Road at the intersection of Shalimar Street around 4:30 Saturday morning. - [Read more]

Most people dream of hopping on a plane and just getting away. One local man is doing just that. Hes about to travel thousands of miles with a friend he just made on the internet. - [Read more]

DestinLive: Traffic is backed up on 98. Crab Island is going off!! Heritage is playing right now @ Crab Isand!! Get out there if you can! - [Read more]

DestinLive: Good amount of people in town. Crab Island has been packed!!! Weather this morning was epic - [Read more]

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DestinLive: Beach cruiser time! Try not to run the speed walkers over with the outrageous form and stride. It really is ridiculous. - [Read more]

SANTA ROSA BEACH -- The South Walton Seahawks pretty much got it done in one quarter, sending the Franklin County Seahawks packing 27-0. "The offense has been very offensive tonight," said South Walton Coach David Barron as he walked off the field.... - [Read more]

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DestinLive: Traffic is picking up on 98!! Hoping this weekend will be busy for the area! Great weather is in store all weekend. - [Read more]

  Executive director of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Marcia Hull, has been working around the clock trying to make Mattie Kelly’s dreams come true. The Destin matriarch’s life work was to bring more arts and culture to Destin. Hull and the... - [Read more]

Special to The Log   Beach Properties of Florida is announcing the opening of two satellite real estate offices in Seagrove at Hotel Viridian and onsite at WaterSound Beach in the GateHouse.   The offices will be in addition to the current... - [Read more]

All area codes are 850 unless specified.   Saturday, Sept. 4   Labor Day Cookout A Freeport Fire fundraiser will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 4 at Food Depot in Freeport. Call 835-2192.   Kids Rock The Block Bring the family for a rockin... - [Read more]

All area codes are 850 unless specified   Free trees Join the Arbor Day Foundation in September and 10 free live oak trees. The trees will be shipped postpaid between Oct. 15 and Dec. 10, at the right time for planting. The 6- to 12-inch trees are... - [Read more]

The fish weren’t huge, but they still brought in the big bucks. Out of a field of about 20 boats entered in the Sandestin Celebration Fishing Tournament this past weekend at Baytowne Marina at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, top angler was Gordon... - [Read more]

On Wednesday, Aug. 25 Penn Jillette, the outspoken half of the comedy-magic duo Penn & Teller, sheared 10 inches of his signature ponytail with the help of his devious cohort Teller to benefit Locks of Love at the Rio Spa at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. It has been noted that Penn [...] - [Read more]

WEWAHITCHKA -- Execution was a little off, but effort won out. The South Walton Seahawks battled to a 24-21 win over the Wewahitcka Gators in a Kickoff Classic Friday night. "We made a lot of mistakes tonight," said South Walton Coach David Barron.... - [Read more]

Brenda Darr lived in New Orleans for 16 years before opening her restaurant Fire in an old abandoned firehouse on Annunciation Street just outside the Warehouse District. She opened the eatery in June 2005. Two months later, Darr, along with the... - [Read more]

It’s a Monday night and while business at most restaurants would be slow on this night of the week, that is not the case at Fat Clemenza. It’s a full house, enticing aromas fill the air, and Dominic Damiano is making the rounds from table to... - [Read more]

  All area codes are 850 unless specified.   Saturday, Aug. 28   Grand opening The Walton County Republican Executive Committee will hold a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new Victory Office at 2 p.m. at 3906 U.S. 98 in Emerald Coast... - [Read more]

All area codes are 850 unless specified.   Sandestin Labor Day and the Baytowne Art Expo. Enjoy the Art Expo with music from 5 to10 p.m. Sept. 4-5 at the Village of Baytowne Wharf. Seaside Labor Day The following events will be held Labor Day... - [Read more]

The Walton County Tourist Development Council has announced that GRAMMY-winner Vince Gill will present a free outdoor “Back to the Beach” concert Sept. 25 in Beaches of South Walton as part of the TDC’s ongoing efforts to welcome visitors back... - [Read more]

In April, Henderson Park Inn’s Beach Walk Café re-opened under the direction of chefs Greg Dupas and Charles Lee. Both were formerly with Marina Café and Beach Walk Café. The food After taking our drink order, our server, Bernadette, brought us... - [Read more]

Big bucks are on the line for fish entries in this year’s Destin Fishing Rodeo. The Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council and Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau has given the Rodeo $70,000, as part of a recent BP payout.  “The... - [Read more]

The Shed is a new barbecue restaurant in Destin. For those of us who have been around for a while, it is in the former Destin City Hall building. For everyone else, it is in HarborWalk Village next to the Emerald Grande. The original Shed was built... - [Read more]

Pepito’s Mexican Restaurant opened in Destin in 2000 and quickly became a local favorite.   The food Pepito’s specializes in traditional Mexican food. The menu is large with nine appetizers, four salads, 25 entrees and an additional 12... - [Read more]

Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Okaloosa County in effect until 7:00 PM CDT on May 29, 2010 - [Read more]

Seen by millions of people around the world, this must see Cirque extravaganza has broken box office records all over the Globe including becoming the biggest ever selling shows in the history of the Sydney Opera house.

Le Grand Cirque is a jaw-dropping visual feast of breathtaking group acrobatics and white-knuckle stunts and has been described by the press as

“The Next generation of Cirque Du Soleil” (Southen Style)
Featuring more than 40 champion acrobats and performers from Brazil, Canada, Russia, Mongolia, Europe and China, the performers have been hand picked from around the globe for their amazing abilities and precision skill. The result is a fast-paced, heart-pounding spectacle that will astound you and keep you at the edge of your seats!

This spectacular production features, contortionists, tumblers, incredible aerial acts as well as the breathtaking Wheel of Death -- one of the most dangerous circus tricks ever attempted, and so much more packed into a 2 hour extravaganza! Extravagant and mesmerizing, Le Grand Cirque is a spectacular experience the family will never forget.

Starting May 25th, Le Grand Cirque will be performing at Grand Boulevard for the whole summer in its custom designed, air conditioned Italian tent which has been designed to hold just under 1100 people.

Just about this time every year our friends up north have stopped dreaming of sugar plums and started seeing sandy white beaches and skimpy bathing suites. Its time to put down the snow shovel and grab your suitecase for your Destin vacation getaway!



From Destin to Seagrove beach we are so pumped up for 2010 we cant wait to hear from you, we have definitely seen an increase in booking for this year. Despite the economy our guests have given us nothing but positive feedback regarding their vacation plans for 2010. So what are you waiting for lets go!

I lived in Miami Beach for more than half of my life and – with the exception of my college years spent in Gainesville (oh, go Gators!) and a three-month stint in New York City – I haven’t had much experience living elsewhere in the good ol’ U.S. of A. This is probably why I was so shocked (make that, very pleasantly surprised) at what I found upon my arrival to Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast three months ago. You see, it seems the farther I’ve traveled North, the farther South I’ve come…and blessedly so!

I find that people along THE Beach smile more often (then again, why would you frown when the beach serves as the backdrop to your daily life?) and display a gracious Southern charm that has been truly refreshing for a jaded Big City Gal like me. While there’s certainly much to be said for Miami’s beaches and for all of their allure, there’s an incomparable appeal to the white sand and blue-green water strewn from Perdido Key to Carrabelle. I frankly never thought this little piece of paradise could exist hundreds of miles north from what I once believed to be the best beach in the world. The charismatic Southern drawls, unspoiled countryside, gentler pace and old-fashioned hospitality make Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast quite a hidden gem.

With Frommer’s recent ranking of this region as one of the top 12 destinations for 2010, it seems the secret is quickly getting out! Additionally, with Southwest Airlines beginning service to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in May 2010, people from all over the country will get to experience what life is like here at THE Beach. I have a feeling they’re going to fall in love with it!

I’m enjoying getting to know this region better and feel so blessed to be able to call it my new home. On my downtime, I like to explore different beach towns (all with their own unique yet equally stunning splendor!), take a walk along the oh-so-many nature trails and snap pictures with my phone during almost every single sunset. Whenever I get a chance, I serve myself a tall glass of Sweet Tea and dig into the fresh catch of the day. In those moments I am reminded why this beach is THE Beach and why it has been said that this way of life will forever change yours. It has certainly changed mine.

How long have you lived here? For how many years have you been visiting? What makes this beach THE Beach? I look forward to hearing from y’all.

Fireworks light up the skies over the Destin harbor - photo by Jon Ervin, Cottage Rental Agency

The sun has set on another Taste of THE Beach – Wine.Dine.Donate extravaganza. Hopefully you were able to go to at least one of the nearly dozen events across the region last weekend. Restaurants from Destin to Panama City were cooking up their specialties and serving them with outstanding wines poured by Southern Wine and Spirits. Yum.

Besides the delicious food and wine, perhaps the greatest take away was the warm and fuzzy feeling patrons got from knowing they helped children’s’ charities along the coast. Nearly a dozen charities benefitted from the fun the rest of us had during an evening of eating and tasting fine wines.

On Friday night, I was able to enjoy some great food, wine and friendship during the Taste of the Destin Harbor. Great gumbo, crab cakes, kabobs, fresh shrimp … the food just seemed to keep coming. The view overlooking the Destin harbor was breath taking, especially as the sun was setting over the Gulf of Mexico. As the skies darkened, the fireworks began along with the ooohs and aaaahs, a fitting end to a fabulous evening.

Sunday was the final day and included the charity auction. 30A TV was there and offered this video postcard. http://www.30atelevision.com. Check under News at THE Beach on our home page for coverage of the Taste of Bay by pcbdaily.com. Now we have a whole year to wait until next year’s Taste of THE Beach. Hum. Think I’ll go down to the seafood market. I need some shrimp.

The air has finally turned cool, and just in time for all of the great fall events happening all along THE Beach. This weekend it’s Autumn Tides at the Beaches of South Walton. Lots of fun family outdoor events and ecotourism experiences are taking place all along Scenic Highway 30A such as canoeing and Yolo Boarding on the beautiful coastal dune lakes, hiking, biking and kids activities at Seaside.

Next weeked (October 24 & 25) Destin will show off her artistic side with the 14th annual Destin Festival of the Arts at Henderson Beach State Park. Over 100 fine artists from all over the country will display and sell their original artworks. Festival hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3.

With the weather this cool and inviting, it’s a great time to get out and enjoy a festival, a picnic, a hike in the woods or a long walk on the beach. Fall weather always makes me want to go into the kitchen and bake things like pumpkin bread. Actually a pot of chili sounds good.

I’m going to need that long walk.